The final Dash Race of the 2024 System 1 season concluded with a big McLaren double, rising its lead over Ferrari to 30 factors. If the papaya-colored crew manages to achieve 14 extra factors than Ferrari on the finish of in the present day’s race (44 factors in complete), they’ll mathematically safe the 2024 Constructors’ Championship with one race to spare.
Pirelli’s Recommendation – Lusail Worldwide Circuit – 57 Laps
Having already noticed the efficiency of the automobiles through the 100 km mini-race, we will now present extra exact steerage on the methods that groups will undertake tonight for the 57 laps of the Qatar GP.
Earlier than doing so, let’s evaluate the recommendation Pirelli has given to the groups forward of in the present day’s race: “The one-stop technique appears more and more legitimate. Despite the fact that within the Dash we noticed a number of automobiles attain the restrict of tire put on, this didn’t trigger a big efficiency drop. Overtaking can be very tough, particularly if DRS trains kind, as occurred through the Dash,” stated motorsport director Mario Isola.
“The suitable compound for the beginning needs to be the Medium C2, with the cease more likely to happen between the sixteenth and twenty fourth lap to change to the Arduous C1 and go to the checkered flag. These ranging from the again might go for one thing totally different, utilizing the Arduous for the primary stint. These desirous to strive a two-stop technique might select the Comfortable to take advantage of its greatest potential within the early phases, then proceed with two units of Arduous or use all three compounds,” he concluded.
Few Overtakes and One Pit Cease, the Race Will Be Determined within the Pits
The almost certainly technique will definitely be the one-stop Medium-Arduous, however we don’t totally agree with Pirelli’s statements. The Comfortable C3 didn’t carry out properly in any respect through the Dash. The one driver to make use of it was Zhou, who managed to finish about 50 km (10 laps) on that compound. Not nice, contemplating the GP requires 308.6 km (57 laps). We don’t consider anybody will need to use it in the beginning. The C3 might at most turn out to be an possibility in case of a late neutralization.
The one-stop technique seems to be like the most suitable choice on paper, however many groups have determined to maintain two units of Arduous tires in reserve for the race. The one drivers who’re left with just one set of C1 as a result of the opposite was already utilized in FP1 are the Ferrari pair and the Williams duo. These groups will probably be at a drawback if a Security Automotive seems round lap 30-35, as having an additional set of Arduous tires might show very helpful. At that time, the Ferrari drivers should determine whether or not to proceed with out making one other cease or pit to mount one other set of Mediums. Each choices are disadvantageous.
As Mario Isola identified, overtaking may be very difficult as a result of monitor format. Subsequently, drivers might want to deal with getting a very good begin and exploiting the proper second to pit, because the pit cease will probably be one of many few instruments out there to overhaul rivals. The undercut is predicted to be very highly effective, so a very good steadiness will probably be wanted between attempting to pit forward of opponents and never having too lengthy a remaining stint, which might have an effect on tempo within the remaining laps of the race. The pit wall will probably be essential.